Just off a call where we were discussing what it takes to shift paradigms in indigenous social development. We noted that we hear a lot from people that they are busy and challenged and they need clear paths forward otherwise they are wasting their time. I have a response to that. We don’t know what we are doing. Everything we have been doing so far has resulted in what we have now. The work of social change – paradigm shifting social innovation – is not easy, clear or efficient. If you are up for it you will confront some of …
Yesterday my childhood football team Tottenham Hotspur saw it’s magnificent 2010-2011 campaign begin a slow limp to a disappointing ending. This was an incredible year for the team, making the UEFA Champions League at the close of last season, narrowly qualifying for the group stage, going on an incredible run to finish top of the group and then knocking off AC Milan to get to the Quarter Final, one stage further than our fierce rivals, Arsenal. Along the way we have had some great victories and matches, including some incredible league derby games against Arsenal, and some scintillating attacking …
This garden. The art of cultivating stillness from a myriad of growing things. http://yfrog.com/h8g4ofwj # “@prawsthorne: realizing then the new mud room just built will also serve as my pipe and tabor practice room…" or u can use the doghouse! # “@WesleyTKnight: On the plane and the girl beside me smells like bubblelicious bubble gum… #winning € I think that's you Wes! # Unusual creatures http://post.ly/1wxHR # Balanced at Van Dusen Gardens http://flic.kr/p/9BStW7 # Citizens as owners: http://chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/?p=3240 #bowegov # http://yfrog.com/h0sg1uqxj the best keep secret on #Bowenisland is that the espresso at #cocoawest is second to none. # Maybe http://post.ly/1xZtj …
As a traditional musician schooled primarily in the Celtic tradition, I am fond of traditional themes and devices for communicating messages. On our home island right now there is a sometimes fierce debate occurring about the future of the Crown lands, that involves the possibility of creating a national park. Today I was thinking about the complexities of the debate, and how it has seemed to me that those leading the opposition to the park are speaking on the one hand out of a concern for protecting something dear about our Island, but it has felt a little off to …
Last week I was in a number of conversations about the role of governments and their relationships to citizens. I heard a common metaphor in these conversations, one which sounded familiar to me from my days working in the federal public service: people were speaking of citizens as customers. In their desire to provide good services and meet community needs, governments often consider citizens as customers. Big consulting firms, perhaps re-purposing their commercial processes, sell this idea. Conservative commentators and those who import business ideas into the realm of public administration are enamoured by the simplicity of the metaphor. The …